Who ordered the troops' descent onto mainstreet America?

By Jim Shepherd

When an lone gunman went on a murder spree in the sleepy little town of Samson, Alabama on March 10, it didn't take long for the 5-officer police department to be overwhelmed.

When the enormity of the act started to sink in, the town put out the call for help from all the police departments in the area.

Now, an inquiry is underway to determine just who called for - or authorized - twenty two active-duty military police officers from Fort Rucker, Alabama who patrolled the streets and helped out with civilian police duties.

It wasn't Alabama Governor Bob Riley.

His office was apparently surprised to learn the Fort Rucker MPs had been on the scene.

No request was issued by the White House or the Defense Department. And a commander's inquiry is underway at Fort Rucker to find out who gave the "go" command - and why.

Geneva County, Alabama Sheriff Greg Ward says he spoke with an officer from Fort Rucker who told him "Rucker was there if we needed generators, lights, equipment and stuff like that." From there, it seems the offer escalated.

Sheriff Ward dismisses the idea that someone overstepped their bounds - or the idea that troops may have violated federal law.

Good intentions and Sheriff Ward aside, what happened when the MPs hit the streets of Samson was an unlawful use of federal troops inside U.S. borders. That violates the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878. Congress has not been crystal clear on many things, but has remained adamant that the use of U.S. troops as civilian police is forbidden in any but the most dire situations.

Even the expanded Insurrection Act of 1808 - amended in 2007- which allows the President to authorize troops to restore order and enforce the laws of the United States has clear procedural steps which must be followed in order for troops to be deployed.

As that investigation continues, we'll keep you posted.

Republished from The Outdoor Wire.

Additional Information:
Army Investigating How and Why Troops Were Sent Into Alabama Town After Murder Spree